On Sat, 14 Oct 2017 01:46:24 -0000 (UTC), bob prohaska
wrote:

I just broke a drawer pull on a family heirloom desk. The pull
consists of a cast brass base with a tab sticking out. The tab
is bent down through the ring, holding it flexibly captive. The
tab is about 1/8" wide and half that thick, the ring about 2"
diameter and 1/8" thick at the tab.

The tab broke where it was bent, so the easiest way to line
up the break is to put the ring back where it belongs and
solder the broken tab back in place. If the tab is soldered
with the ring out, then some bending will be needed to put
the ring back. That seems a good way to break the tab again.

If I can find something to coat the ring pull, so the solder
won't wet it, I think there's a decent chance of success. I
don't think lead-tin solder will be strong enough and I can't
think of a reliable anti-wetting coating that will stand up
to silver soldering temperatures. Aluminum foil comes to mind,
and might work for soft solder but I don't think it'd take
the heat needed for silver soldering.


Thanks for reading, and any ideas.

bob prohaska


I hjave used lampblack with good results. The coating is delicate, and
flux might clean it off (though it didn't when I used it), but it is
easy to apply from a smoky candle flame and easy to remove.
Eric